How to assemble a quilt on point
Sometimes quilt are assembled “on point”. That means that the blocks are aligned as diamonds rather than squares. This is how to assemble a quilt on point.
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Below you will find:
- video tutorial
- step-by-step written tutorial with pictures
- quilt examples
Video
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Tutorial
Assembling blocks on point can give a lot of fun designs and effects.
This type of assembly is totally different from the traditional row and column assembly, but once you learn how to do it, it isn’t difficult.
Cutting the triangles
When we turn the blocks on point, we can see that it leaves a zig zag edge around the quilt. To have your quilt be square or rectangular, we will need to fill in those triangles.
Your quilt pattern will tell you what size triangles to cut for those spaces, but be sure to follow this guideline:
The side triangles should be quarter square triangles. These are triangles made by cutting squares twice on the diagonal.
These triangles have bias edges on the short sides and the long side is the straight of grain.
The corner triangles should be half square triangles. These are made by cutting squares once on the diagonal.
Half square triangles have a bias edge on the long side and the short sides are straight of grain.
See this post for more details about the difference between half square triangles and quarter square triangles.
Cutting your triangles in this way will ensure that the edge of your quilt is straight of grain. This will make it much easier to quilt and bind without ripples and waves.
Join in rows
When assembling a quilt on point, the blocks are still joined in rows, but they are diagonal rows. That means the rows are all different lengths.
Rows close to the corner are short and rows in the middle are long.
When joining the side triangles to the blocks, align the corner of the triangle to the corner of the block. The point of the triangle will extend a bit beyond. That is fine.
When joining the corner triangles to the blocks, align the centres. The triangle will extend a bit on both sides.
When joining rows together, match the seams of the blocks.
Remember that the triangles on the longer rows will not be joined to anything. The triangle on the end of the shorter row will align to the end block on the longer row.
It is easiest if you have a place you can lay out the blocks and rows to see them all together. Lay them out each time before you join the seams.
Using these tips, you will have no problems assembling your blocks on point.
Have fun using this technique to make fun and beautiful quilt designs.